MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Svetlana Iskhakov -
Owner/Dance Instructor
Svetlana Iskhakov - founder, co-owner and lead instructor at the Columbus Dance Centre is one of the top professional Dancesport dancers in the United States.
Her titles include:
- US representative to the World in professional 10-dance championships held in Japan on June 22, 2003
- 3rd place finalist in the 2003 US Professional 10-dance championships
- 2002 Blackpool Dance Festival Professional Rising Stars Latin Quarter-Finalist
- 1999 Ohio Star Ball Professional Rising Star Latin-American Champion
- Open Professional Northcoast and Cincinnati Dancesport Champion, etc.
NDCA member, ISDT Certified Instructor.
Svetlana also has a very strong and broad academic background. She received BFA in dance from Ohio State University, completing the studies she did at the University of Culture in Moscow, Russia.
Svetlana travels extensively coaching and performing nationally. She performed roles of the head coach of the OSU and Kenyon College Ballroom Teams. She is frequently invited to judge and do demonstrations at the collegiate competitions around the country. Svetlana has been featured in numerous articles in Columbus Dispatch, New York Times, This Week, Columbus Alive, Gahanna News etc.
Sergei Bakalov -
Co-Owner/Dance Instructor
Sergei Bakalov - co-owner, dance and fitness instructor at the Columbus Dance Centre.
He began as a Hip Hop and Break Dance dancer at age of 14 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Long journey of dancing, competing and teaching in those styles brought him to Ballroom and Latin-American dancing in Columbus Ohio in 2001.
Sergei also has a very strong academic background in fitness and health.1998 - graduate from Wingate Institute for Physical Education & Sport (Israel), 25 years experience in powerlifting and bodybuilding, 20 years work experience as a Personal Fitness Trainer in Israel & USA.
Dance instructor, Healthy Lifestyle Consultant, Personal Trainer in USA since 2001.
Currently, Sergei is a co-owner and one of the lead dance instructors at Columbus Dance Centre. He is dedicated to providing high quality instruction in most major styles of dance. He teaches students of all levels in Ballroom, Smooth, Latin, Rhythm, Wedding Dance and Ballroom Social Dance. Adults and Children, Couples and Singles.
Sergei has been featured in numerous articles in Columbus Dispatch, New York Times, This Week, Columbus Alive, Gahanna News etc.
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Kim Emig -
Front Desk Receptionist
Kim Emig joined our team in 2012, and quickly became a valued member, learning every aspect of the business. Mrs. Kim handles the children's programs, registering kids, helping out with classes, scheduling for all private and group lessons, as well as rentals for the facility. If you any questions or concerns, she is always available and eager to help.
Since joining Columbus Dance Centre, Kim has even begun her own Ballroom journey. She has competed in several competitions in both Latin and Smooth categories. According to Kim, "Working at CDS has become so much more than just a job, I love what I do! It has introduced me to the world of dance and allowed me to push myself to achieve things I never thought was possible. Ballroom dancing will definitely be a part of my life forever, and it is that feeling that we want to pass onto all of our students, both kids and adults."